CASE STUDY
Cooling Solutions : USystems , Legrand ’ s rear door heat exchanger ( RDHx ) specialists , have developed an RDHx with a closed water loop system that significantly reduces water wastage . Their in-row cooling system is up to 60 % more energy efficient than traditional CRAC units when addressing row-scale data centre hot points , with an industry-leading cooling capacity of 68kW .
Efficient Optical Networking : Legrand ’ s acclAIM fibre solutions design replaces pre-terminated cassette-based solutions with direct mating breakout connections , delivering one-to-one functionality , design , and administration while eliminating the cassette . acclAIM ’ s extended distance fiber solution of up to 160m for 1G and 107m for 10G applications , in some cases , reduces the need for additional signalamplifying equipment , decreasing Scope 3 emissions by eliminating the need for this equipment .
Reducing Carbon Emissions in Manufacturing : Legrand maintains control over the fabrication , bending , painting , and assembly of its data centre IT cabinets and ensures reduced emissions from transportation of semifinished goods from one location to another . USystems has eliminated water wastage in its manufacturing process and uses renewable energy sources like biomass boilers and solar panels to power its plant .
Circular Economy Initiatives : Legrand actively incorporates Circular Economy principles across its product portfolio , focusing on reusability , recycled materials , and recyclable packaging . For example , Starline ’ s track busway sections and plug-in units can be reconfigured and moved from one location to another , reducing waste during data centre redesigns . Legrand prioritises recycled materials , with USystems using recycled steel from cars for its RDHx solutions . Additionally , Legrand ’ s packaging materials are designed to be recyclable , and logistics strategies are optimised to reduce carbon emissions .
Part 3 : How data centres can become more sustainable with Legrand ’ s solutions
Legrand ’ s advanced monitoring features can significantly impact data centre sustainability by addressing IT underutilisation , which is a common inefficiency . By utilising real-time data provided by Raritan and Server Technology intelligent rack PDUs , data centre operators can optimise server and storage capacity , reduce power consumption and consolidate servers , which lowers energy usage .
By identifying and switching off idle servers , data centres can immediately enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs .
Legrand also understands how vital sustainable cooling and power distribution strategies are for data centre efficiency . At a cabinet level , Legrand ’ s airflow management solutions , can achieve a reduction in airflow leakage by up to 80 %, and its containment moves this closer to 100 %. For retrofits , adding sensors and sealing gaps between cabinets can optimise airflow . Additionally , Legrand ’ s RDHx systems can reduce cooling energy by up to 90 % and lower water wastage , thereby enhancing overall energy efficiency .
On monitoring electrical systems , tools like Starline ’ s real-time power monitoring ensures balanced electrical systems and maximises energy efficiency . Advanced metering and real-time analytics help data centre operators maintain peak performance and reduce energy waste .
To promote sustainable operations and purchasing , Legrand incorporates low-maintenance infrastructure such as Legrand ’ s maintenance-free busways , and the company leverages remote management tools , which significantly reduce operational emissions .
Final words
The journey towards more efficient and sustainable data centre operations is both a challenge and an opportunity . Data centres can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining operational excellence by embracing a holistic approach that targets emissions across all scopes and by carefully selecting solution partners who share a commitment to sustainability .
For every organisation , the actions taken today will not only determine the environmental impact of individual data centres but also set a precedent for the industry as a whole . By prioritising innovation and collaboration , organisations can lead the charge in creating a more sustainable digital infrastructure and ensuring that the growth of our digital world does not come at the expense of our planet .
To learn more on practical solutions for engineering a sustainable data centre and how to maximize the value of existing technology , download the full case study here . p
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